The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry is in good hands, per Dave Brandon. Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Brady Hoke refers to Ohio State as "Ohio."

Urban Meyer won't even say a portion of Michigan's name, referring to it as "that team up north."

Both Hoke and Meyer are recruiting at a high level, and both completely understand the magnitude of "The Game."

The Michigan-Ohio State football rivalry appears to be in good hands. And, according to Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon, folks haven't seen anything yet.

"I think it's totally on the upswing," Brandon said recently on Sirius radio. "I think the best years lie ahead in terms of the level of competition and the approach both of these programs are taking in terms of making that a game that defines your season."

Hoke is 1-1 against Ohio State during his two years in Ann Arbor, while Meyer is 1-for-1 so far during his short stay in Columbus.

Michigan won 11 games in 2011, Ohio State went a perfect 12-0 in 2012. Both programs have had top 10 recruiting hauls in 2012 and 2013, and both may likely be ranked inside the top 15 when next season begins.

And Brandon's level of confidence in the rivalry's strength sits with both head coaches -- who, he says, never needed to be told how important the situation was.

"You didn't have to tell (Hoke) what that rivalry was all about and how important it was," Brandon added. "When you see the recruiting wars, you remember the Bo vs. Woody (Hayes) days, (and now) we're recruiting the same kids in the same areas (again).

"(The Michigan-Ohio State) competition is not only on the field in November, but it's all year long."

Prior to Hoke's arrival in Ann Arbor, former Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez -- fair or not -- was consistently on the clock to prove how much he understood the importance of the rivalry.

Years ago, Ohio State coach John Cooper said the Michigan-Ohio State tilt was "just another game."

Now?

Well, according to Brandon, everything just seems right.

"Bo used to tell us, 'Michigan teams are defined by how they play against Ohio State,' " Brandon said. "I think we're right back in that same mode.

"There is no more hard-hitting game than the Michigan-Ohio State game. Those are two disciplined programs that play the right way and want to represent their schools. ... I think there's been very little of that nonsense with this rivalry -- it's too important."